Acid Base And Salt

Acid
Acids:- The word Acid came from Latin word Acidus or Acere which means sour.
Sour taste is the most common characteristic of acid. Acid turns blue litmus paper
red. There are many substances which contain acid and hence taste sour, such as
curd, tamarind, lemon, etc.
Types of Acids:- Acids are divided into two types on the basis of their occurrence
Natural acids and Mineral acids.
Natural Acid:- Acids which are obtained from natural sources are called natural acid
or organic acid.
Some common organic acid their and natural source
Name of Acid
Source
Acetic acid
Vinegar
Ascorbic acid
Amla
Guava
Citric acid
Lemon
Orange
Other citrus food
Lactic acid
Sour milk
Curd
Methanoic acid
Ant sting
Nettle sting
Oxalic acid
Tomato
Tartaric acid
Tamarind
Mineral Acids:- Acids that prepare from mineral are known as mineral acids,
inorganic acids, man-made acids or synthetic acid, such as hydrochloric acid,
sulphuric acid, nitric acid, etc.
Chemical Properties of Acid
Reaction of acids with metal:
Acids give hydrogen gas along with respective salt when they react with a metal.
Example:Hydrogen gas and zinc chloride are formed when hydrochloric acid reacts with zinc
metal.

Hydrogen gas and sodium chloride are formed when hydrochloric acid reacts with
sodium metal.

Hydrogen gas and iron chloride are formed when hydrochloric acid reacts with iron.

Hydrogen gas and zinc sulphate are formed when zinc metal reacts with sulphuric
acid

Test for hydrogen gas:

The gas evolved after reaction of acid with metal can be tested by bringing a lighted
candle near it. If the gas burns with pop sound, then it confirms the evolution of
hydrogen gas. Burning with pop sound is the characteristic test for hydrogen gas.
Reaction of acids with metal carbonate:
Acids give carbon dioxide gas and respective salts along with water when they react
with metal carbonates.
Examples:
Hydrochloric acid gives carbon dioxide gas, sodium chloride along with water when
reacts with sodium carbonate.

Hydrochloric acid gives carbon dioxide, magnesium chloride and water when it
reacts with magnesium carbonate.

Hydrochloric acid gives carbon dioxide gas, calcium chloride and water when it
reacts with calcium carbonate.

Sulphuric acid gives calcium sulphate, carbon dioxide gas, calcium sulphate and
water when it reacts with calcium carbonate.
Sulphuric acid gives sodium sulphate, carbon dioxide gas and water when it reacts
with sodium carbonate.

Nitric acid gives sodium nitrate, water and carbon dioxide gas when it reacts with
sodium carbonate.

Reaction of acid with hydrogen carbonates (bicarbonates):

Acids give carbon dioxide gas, respective salt and water when they react with metal
hydrogen carbonate.
Examples:
Hydrochloric acid gives carbon dioxide, sodium chloride and water when it reacts
with sodium bicarbonate.

Sulphuric acid gives sodium sulphate, carbon dioxide gas and water when it reacts
with sodium bicarbonate.

Sodium bicarbonate is also known as sodium hydrogen carbonate, baking soda,

baking powder, bread soda and bicarbonate of soda.
Test for evolution of carbon dioxide gas:
Carbon dioxide turns lime water milky when passed through it. This is the
characteristic test for carbon dioxide gas.
The gas evolved because of reaction of acid with metal carbonate or metal hydrogen
carbonate turns lime water milky. This shows that the gas is carbon dioxide gas. This
happens because of formation of white precipitate of calcium carbonate.

But when excess of carbon dioxide is passed through lime water, it makes milky
colour of lime water disappear. This happens because of formation of calcium
hydrogen carbonate. As calcium hydrogen carbonate is soluble in water, thus the
milky colour of solution mixture disappears.
Reaction of acid with marble and egg shell:
Since, marble and egg shell are made of calcium carbonate, hence when acid is
poured over marble or egg shell, bubbles of carbon dioxide are formed.
Historical Monuments and Acid Rain:
Burning of fossil fuels releases oxides of sulphur and nitrogen. Nitrogen oxide and
sulphur dioxide form nitric acid and sulphuric acid on reaction with water. When rain
droplets mix with these gases; present in atmosphere because of pollution; they form
acid rain.
Acid rain causes damage to the historical monuments and other buildings. For
example Taj Mahal, which is made of marble, is getting damaged because of
reaction with acid rain. Marble is calcium carbonate which reacts with the acid and
thus gets corroded.
Use of Reaction between Acid and Metal Carbonate or Metal Bicarbonate in Fire
Extinguisher:
Metal carbonate or metal hydrogen carbonate and acid are used in fire extinguisher
to produce carbon dioxide gas. Acid and metal carbonate or bicarbonate are kept in
separate chambers in a fire extinguisher. On emergency they are allowed to react
with one another. The carbon dioxide gas so produce is poured over fire. As carbon
dioxide does not support burning, it puts off the fire.
Acid Base and Salt
Base
Base is bitter in taste and feels soapy on touch. A base turns red litmus paper blue.
Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), calcium hydroxide, sodium carbonate (washing
soda), lime (Calcium oxide), potassium hydroxide (caustic potash), etc. are
examples of base.
Types of base: Base can be divided in two types Water soluble and water
insoluble.

The ionic salt of alkali and alkaline earth metals are soluble in water. These are also
known as alkali. For example sodium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium
hydroxide, etc. Alkali is considered as strong base.
Reaction of Base with Metals:
When alkali (base) reacts with metal, it produces salt and hydrogen gas.
Example:Sodium hydroxide gives hydrogen gas and sodium zincate when reacts with zinc
metal.

Sodium aluminate and hydrogen gas are formed when sodium hydroxide reacts with
aluminium metal.

Reaction of base with oxides of non-metals:

Non-metal oxides are acidic in nature. For example; carbon dioxide is a non-metal
oxide. When carbon dioxide is dissolved in water it produces carbonic acid.
Therefore, when a base reacts with non-metal oxide both neutralize each other
resulting respective salt and water are produced.
Example Sodium hydroxide gives sodium carbonate and water when it reacts with carbon
dioxide.

Calcium hydroxide gives calcium carbonate and water when it reacts with carbon
dioxide.

Reaction of an Acid with a Base - Neutralisation Reaction:

An acid neutralizes a base when they react with each other and respective salt and
water are formed.
Since in the reaction between acid and base both neutralize each other, hence it is
also known as neutralization reaction.
Example Sodium chloride and water are formed when hydrochloric acid reacts with sodium
hydroxide (a strong base).

In similar way, calcium chloride is formed along with water when hydrochloric acid
reacts with calcium hydroxide (a base).

Sodium sulphate and water are formed when sulphuric acid reacts with sodium
hydroxide (a base).

In similar way, when nitric acid reacts with sodium hydroxide, sodium nitrate and
water are formed.

Reaction of Acid with Metal Oxides:

Metal oxides are basic in nature. Thus, when an acid reacts with a metal oxide both
neutralize each other. In this reaction, respective salt and water are formed.
Example: Calcium is a metal, thus calcium oxide is a metallic oxide which is basic in nature.
When an acid; such as hydrochloric acid; reacts with calcium oxide, neutralization
reaction takes place and calcium chloride; along with water; is formed.

Similarly, when sulphuric acid reacts with zinc oxide, zinc sulphate and water are
formed.

When hydrochloric acid reacts with aluminium oxide, aluminium chloride and water
are formed.

Common in Acid and Base

Acids give hydrogen gas when they react with metal. This shows that all acids
contain hydrogen. For example: Hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulphuric acid (H 2SO4),
nitric acid (HNO3), etc. When an acid is dissolved in water, it dissociates hydrogen.
The dissociation of hydrogen ion in aqueous solution is the common property in all
acids. Because of dissociation of hydrogen ion in aqueous solution, an acid shows
acidic behavior.
Example:Hydrochloric acid (HCl) gives hydrogen ion (H +) and chloride ion (Cl-) when it is
dissolved in water.
Sulphuric acid (H2 SO4) gives hydrogen ion (H+) and sulphate ion (SO4--) in water.
Nitric acid (HNO3) gives hydrogen ion (H+) and nitrate ion (NO3-) in water.
Acetic acid (CH3COOH) gives acetate ion (CH3COO-) and hydrogen ion (H+).
Hydrogen ion which is produced by acid (when acid is combined with water
molecule), exists in the form of hydronium ion (H 3O-) in aqueous solution. Thats why
hydrogen ion is always written with suffix (aq), such as H + (aq).

Example:Thus, because of dissociation of hydrogen ions; acid shows its acidic behavior.
Acids conduct electricity in their aqueous solution because of dissociation of
hydrogen ion. Hydrogen ion in aqueous solution conducts electricity.
A dry acid, such as dry hydrochloric acid does not change the colour of blue litmus
paper to red because a dry acid does not dissociate hydrogen ion. This is the cause
that a moist litmus paper is used to check the acidic or basic character of a gas.
Acidic behavior of carbon dioxide gas:

Carbon dioxide gas produces carbonic acid when dissolved in water. This carbonic
acid dissociates hydrogen ion and carbonate ion in the aqueous solution.
Are all compounds which contain hydrogen, necessarily acids?
No, all compounds which contain hydrogen are not acid. For example; glucose
(C6H12O6), methyl alcohol (CH3OH), etc. are not acid in spite of the fact that they
contain hydrogen. This is because these compounds do not dissociate hydrogen ion
in their aqueous solution.
Common in all Base:
A base dissociates hydroxide ion in water, which is responsible for the basic behavior
of a compound. Example:
When sodium hydroxide is dissolved in water, it dissociates hydroxide ion and
sodium ion.

Similarly, when potassium hydroxide is dissolved in water, it dissociates hydroxide

ion and potassium ion.
Thus, base shows its basic character because of dissociation of hydroxide ion.

Neutralisation Reaction:
When an acid reacts with a base, the hydrogen ion of acid combines with the
hydroxide ion of base and forms water. As these ions combine together and form
water; instead of remaining free, thus both neutralize each other.

Example:
When sodium hydroxide (a base) reacts with hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide
breaks into sodium ion and hydroxide ion and hydrochloric acid breaks into hydrogen
ion and chloride ion. Hydrogen ion and hydroxide ion combine together and form
water, while sodium ion and chloride ion combine together and form sodium chloride.

Dilution of Acid and Base:

The concentration of hydrogen ion in an acid and hydroxide ion in a base; per unit
volume; shows the concentration of acid or base.
By mixing of acid to water, the concentration of hydrogen ion per unit volume
decreases. Similarly, by addition of base to water the concentration of hydroxide ion
per unit volume decreases. This process of addition of acid or base to water is called
dilution and the acid or base is called diluted.
The dilution of acid or base is exothermic. Thus, acid or base is always added to
water and water is never added to acid or base. If water is added to a concentrated
acid or base a lot of heat is generated, which may cause splashing out of acid or
base and may cause severe damage as concentrated acid and base are highly
corrosive.
Acid Base and Salt
Strength of Acid and Base:Acids in which complete dissociation of hydrogen ion takes place are called strong
acid. Similarly, bases in which complete dissociation of hydroxide ion takes place are
called strong base.
In mineral acids, such as hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, etc. hydrogen
ion dissociates completely and hence they are considered as strong acid. Since, in
organic acids hydrogen ions do not dissociate completely, so they are weak acid.
Alkalis are water soluble base, thus in alkali; complete dissociation of hydroxide ions
takes place and they are considered as strong base.
The complete dissociation of hydrogen ions or hydroxide ions is shown by a single
arrow. The incomplete dissociation of hydrogen ions or hydroxide ions is denoted by
double arrow.
Example of complete dissociation:

Example of incomplete dissociation:-

Although acetic acid being an organic acid is a weak acid, but concentrated acetic
acid is corrosive and can damage the skin if poured over it.
pH Measurement of strength of Acid and Base
The strength of acid or base depends upon the hydrogen ion concentration. If the
concentration of hydrogen ion is greater than hydroxide ion, the solution is called
acidic. If the concentration of hydrogen ion is smaller than the hydroxide ion, the

solution is called basic. If the concentration of hydrogen ion is equal to the

concentration of hydroxide ion, the solution is called neutral solution.
pH is a scale which quantifies the concentration of hydrogen ion in a solution. The
range of pH scale is between 0 to 14.
The pH value decreases with increase in hydrogen ion concentration. If the value of
pH is 0, this shows maximum hydrogen ion concentration. pH value equal to 14
shows lowest hydrogen ion concentration. pH value equal to 7 shows the hydrogen
ion concentration is equal to hydroxide ion concentration.
A neutral solution, such as distilled water has value of hydrogen ion concentration
equal to 7 on pH scale. The acidic solution has value of hydrogen ion concentration
less than 7 on pH scale. The basic solution has value of hydrogen ion concentration
greater than 7 on pH scale.
In pH scale p stands for potenz. Potenz is a German word which means power or
potential. Here; H stands for hydrogen ion. Thus, pH means the potential of
hydrogen or power of hydrogen.
pH is defined as the decimal logarithm of the reciprocal of the hydrogen ion activity
(a_(H^+ )), in a solution.

Indicator:
Substances which show the acidic or basic behavior of other substance by change in
colour are known as indicator.
Type of Indicator: There are many types of indicators. Some common types of
indicators are
Natural.

Olfactory Indicator.

Synthetic Indicator.

Universal Indicator.
Natural Indicator:- Indicators obtained from natural sources are called natural
indicators. Litmus, turmeric, red cabbage, China rose, etc. are some common natural
indicators used widely to show the acidic or basic character of substances.
Litmus:- Litmus is obtained from lichens. The solution of litmus is purple in colour.
Litmus paper comes in two colour blue and red.
An acid turns blue litmus paper red.
A base turns red litmus paper blue.
Turmeric:- Turmeric is another natural indicator. Turmeric is yellow in colour.
Turmeric solution or paper turns reddish brown with base. Turmeric does not change
colour with acid.

Red cabbage: The juice of red cabbage is originally purple in colour. Juice of red
cabbage turns reddish with acid and turns greenish with base.
Olfactory Indicators:- Substances which change their smell when mixed with acid or
base are known as olfactory indicators. For example onion, vanilla, clove, etc.
Onion: Paste or juice of onion loses its smell when added with base. It does not
change its smell with acid.
Vanilla: The smell of vanilla vanishes with base, but its smell does not vanishes with
an acid.
Olfactory indicators are used to ensure the participation of visually impaired students
in laboratory.
Synthetic Indicator: Indicators that are synthesized in laboratory are known as
synthetic indicators. For example; phenolphthalein, methyl orange, etc.
Phenolphthalein is a colourless liquid. It remains colourless with acid but turns into
pink with a base.
Methyl orange is originally orange in colour. It turns into red with acid and turns into
yellow with base.

Universal Indicator:Using a litmus paper, phelophthalein, methyl orange, etc. only the acidic or basic
character of a solution can be determined, but use of these indicators does not give
the idea about the strength of acid or base. So, to get the strength as well as acidic
and basic nature of a given solution universal indicator is used.
Universal indicator shows different colour over the range of pH value from 1 to 14 for
a given solution. Universal indicator is available both in the form of strips and
solution. Universal indicator is the combination of many indicators, such as water,
propanol, phelophthalein, sodium salt, sodium hydroxide, methyl red, bromothymol
blue monosodium salt, and thymol blue monosodium salt. The colour matching chart
is supplied with universal indicator which shows the different colours for different
values of pH.

Colour of Universal Indicator for different value of pH scale.